UNC Exchange Programs

UNC is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). ISEP is a consortium of over 330 institutions in more than 50 countries. UNC students have the opportunity to participate in two types of ISEP programs: ISEP-Exchange or ISEP-Direct.

How are ISEP Exchange and ISEP Direct Different?

Description: ISEP Exchange enables students from over 330 universities worldwide to essentially trade places with one another, entering the host institution as a regular student, while simply continuing to pay fees to their home institution. For each UNC student who goes abroad, UNC receives an international student in return.

Description: ISEP Direct offers an alternate enrollment option outside of the one-for-one limits of ISEP Exchange at more than 50 institutions abroad. ISEP Direct also offers special language and culture programs, as well as many community engagement opportunities.

Placement Chances: An ISEP Exchange host university accepts as many incoming students as it send out; depending on demand, some host sites may have limited space.

Placement Chances: For qualified students, chances of placement on ISEP Direct are excellent, with more an a 97% placement rate.

Finances: The program fee is based on UNC's tuition, room, and board costs. All forms of financial aid, except work study, may be applied to the program. $390 is due at the time of application.

Finances: ISEP Direct Fees (covering tuition, room, and often board) vary from site to site depending on local costs. Often an ISEP Direct program is cheaper than a semester at UNC depending on the country. Financial aid may be applied towards program fees. A $390 deposit is due at the time of application.

Eligibility: Any UNC student who meets UNC requirements to study abroad may apply to any of the participating ISEP Exchange institutions. UNC has 4-6 exchange spots each semester. Students may apply for a semester or an academic year. Students will be selected based on GPA, faculty references, and quality of essay.

Eligibility: Any UNC student who meets UNC requirements to study abroad may apply to any of the more than 50 ISEP member institutions that accept students through ISEP Direct. For a complete list of these schools, click here.

Deadline Dates:
Full year and fall semester: February 15
Spring semester: September 1Summer programs: Varies

Deadline Date: In most cases, ISEP Direct has rolling admissions. However, UNC's study abroad application date is October 1 for spring semester and March 12 for summer and fall semesters.

Where can I study through an ISEP program?

Click here to do a search for ISEP programs that are applicable to your major.

UNC student, Maggie McGing, at the Holi festival in Hyderabad, India on an ISEP Direct Program

How much does an ISEP program cost?

Costs for Exchange Programs:

Students will pay tuition, housing, board and fees to UNC. They will pay all other expenses abroad. Abroad, you receive the same set of ISEP benefits covered by the fees that the outgoing student paid to that university. The budget given in US dollars is an estimate and is subject to change dependent on exchange rates.

The above estimated total expenses are used to help plan and prepare for the program, as well as calculate eligibility for financial aid. Not all students will incur all the expenses above. Not that the last line is not considered a necessary expense and is not included in the total for financial aid purposes. All amounts listed are estimates and are subject to change depending on international economic factors, past participant reports, and on-site staff reports. Student expenditures in-country depends greatly on personal spending habits, post- or during-program travel, and available funds.

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Costs for Direct Programs

Program costs for ISEP-Direct vary between institutions and range in cost between $5,600-$12,000 per semester.